VERONICA

ADELINE'S POV

I don't know for how long Colton has been driving. I wake up with an awful headache and from the way my body refuses to react to anything I ask it too, I know Colton must have drugged me. I don't even know for how long I've been passed out since I shot the doctor. I've killed two people now in the space of a few days and I don't know how I feel about that.

But I don't have enough morality right now to feel disgusted at myself. All I am right now is on survival mode and I have realized that I would do anything, and I mean anything to free myself from these people.

I've been raped and I've been abused. They have drugged me and done everything to bring my spirit down, to make me think there is nothing I can do to survive my fate but they have no idea who I am. I am stronger than they think, I am smarter than they think and I know no matter how long it takes, I will be fee from this.

"You didn't have to drug me again, you know." I say as I try to keep my eyes open. I notice that Colton has me in the front seat with him with my hands and legs tied up. I guess he doesn't trust keeping me behind him any longer with what I did to his friend and to the doctor.

"And risk you killing me? Not a chance." He says, keeping his eyes fixed on the road. It reminds me of how focused Dante always used to be while he was driving and my heart bends and twists in pain from the memory of him. I miss him so much it feels like I can't breathe when I think about the fact that we're apart. I can't imagine what he and Liam can be going through right now worried sick about where I am.

I wonder if my parents are even looking for me. Dante and Liam are the only people I have left back at home. They're the reason I need to keep fighting no matter what.

"I'm not going to kill you. At least not yet." I blurt out.

"You have a really big mouth for someone in your position." Colton says, glancing at me for a split second before he quickly turns his eyes back to the road. I notice an emotion wash over his face. I don't know if it's pity or guilt but I quickly brush away the thought.

If he felt bad for me, he wouldn't be driving me towards my death.

"You're not going to hurt me. I killed your friend and I killed the doctor, yet here I am." I say, trying to find a comfortable position with the way I'm tied up.

"I'm just doing my job and it doesn't consist of killing you. So don't get too cocky." I can tell he's irritated with the fact that he has to make small talk with me, but for some reason, I can't keep my mouth shut. Maybe it's the fact that I'm desperate for any form of human contact. Maybe that's why my brain is forcing me to make conversation with the very person kidnapping me.

All I know is I need to move my mouth. I need to stay awake.

"Is that what you're going to do all your life? What you're told. Even if you ruin other people's lives in the process?" I feel myself start to get emotional. I feel tears prickle at the sides of my eyes. How did I get here? Why is this happening to me? Who did I ever hurt for this to be my karma?

"You know I had an amazing life. My parents were shitty but I had my best friend. He loves me and I love him. I thought would ever find love, but I met a man. He showed me what it meant to love. I have people back at home that miss me, that I miss. People who are wondering where I am. Did you think of that while you were doing what you were told to Colton? Do you often think about all the lives you have destroyed."

All the emotions inside me come to a boil and climax until all I can feel is rage and anger.

"We're here. I suggest you stop that leaking from your eyes. These people do not tolerate weakness." As the words leave his mouth, that's when I notice that we're now in an abandoned area. An area that I'm not even sure is on a map. As he drives towards the extravagantly huge and midnight black gates, a huge and haunting house comes into view. It looks exactly like what I imagined when I realized my situation.

Void of any happiness or life.

"I hate you." I start crying and it sucks to know that there is nothing I can do to fight because of the drugs in my systems. It'slike I can feel all my emotions but my body is so weak that all I can do is cry.

"I hate you so much." I repeat.

Colton licks his teeth in annoyance and gets out of the car. I see guards lining every single edge and corner of the house and my heart beats in my chest like a thousand drums. This isn't real. This can't be real. This is all just a really long nightmare and I'll wake up anytime soon now.

This cannot be my life forever.

Colton pulls me out of the passenger's seat and unties the ropes binding me. I try to fight him but to naval. I'm too weak and it's so fucking frustrating. What kind of drug did these people even give me?

"It's no use fighting." He starts whispering as he leads me towards the dark mansion. "Veronica is in there right now and she expects to see you in good condition."

He continues talking, ignoring all of my protests. "She's a very scary woman and she's trained for this. She has no heart and she will not feel sorry for you. She already knows you killed two people so she's not your greatest fan right now. She will beat you if you misbehave, she will try to break you. Follow my instructions and act accordingly and you'll be okay. At least you can try to be."

He stops talking as soon as we reach the door. Two guards push the door open revealing the interior of the house that looks like a dystopian future. The lights are dim and the drapes are red. It's a huge house, even bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside and they have decorated the house in such a manner that makes you feel like you're in hell.

As soon as we walk in I see a woman standing in the center of the huge room. She's beautiful but there is a certain evil to her beauty. Two guards stand beside her, bigger than normal. Her red hair is tied up neatly in a low bun. Her red stained lips are upturned in a scowl. She stands in her pencil skirt and red stilettos like the goddess of death herself.

"You're late." Her voice resonates in the room, cold and chilly making shivers run up and down my spine. Colton comes to a stop in front of her and she averts her gaze towards me. I sniffle and try to control the tears flowing from my eyes as she stares down at me. I'm scared.

Her eyes hold no single emotion, just a condescending and indifferent look. They are like two balls of nothingness.

"Adrian was right. You really are beautiful. You might just be our best girl yet." Veronica says as she starts to circle me, eyeing me like a hungry vulture. The way she talks about me like I'm nothing more than an object makes me want to throw up all the contents of my empty stomach.

"Although when Adrian spoke about you, he didn't mention that you were a murderer." Her palms connect with my face with a sharp sound until I taste blood in my mouth. the force of her slap sends my entire body backwards and before I know it, I'm on the floor. I can't get up. I'm so weak.

"Stand up." She orders and I know I have to. I know I have to muster up the strength no matter how weak I may be. I know no one is going to help e and I'm starting to come to the realization that everything Colton told me about Veronica is true.

But why would he warn me about her when he's the same person bringing me to her? I finally manage to stand but I feel weak and wobbly in the knees, I feel blood trickle from my mouth and down to my chin. I feel like I'm going to pass out any moment from now.

"If Adrian didn't sell you to me himself, you would be dead by now." Veronica is so close to my ace now that I can feel her warm and fresh breath fan my face. She pushes a lock of hair behind my ear and grabs my chin, tilting my face from side to side as if examining my face for some kind of fault.

"Perfect…" She whispers in a sing song manner and let's go of my face.

"A lot of men will love her." She says to no one in particular. "It's been a while since I've seen someone with such a perfect face and body. If I were you, I would leave all my killing days behind or else I will personally make this place a living hell for you, do you understand me?"

She doesn't wait for me to answer and turns her attention towards Colton.

"You will guard her personally." Veronica orders.

"What?" Colton says, surprised. "That wasn't part of the deal Veronica. I've played my part and you promised to let me leave after this last job…"

"Are you refusing a direct order Colton?" Veronica asks with a menacing voice. Colton snaps his mouth shut and all that is visible on his face is a disgusted and defeated scowl.

"That's what I thought. Now please, show her to her room." She says and walks away, the two guards that were standing like statues motionless beside her, follow her like puppies. My body visibly relaxes as soon as Veronica leaves the room. Colton gives me an uncomfortable look, and I see his eyes soften with that look on his face again that makes me want to think he feels sorry for me.

"I want to go home. Please get me out of here." I start crying again. "Please. Please." I beg and I don't even know who I'm talking to. I just want to get out of here.

"I'm sorry princess." Colton says lifting me off the floor. He holds me gently. He's the only person who has held me gently in the past few days and with how much I've missed this kind of comfort, I continue crying as he carries me up a flight of stairs.

"Some people don't have a choice." That is the last thing I hear as he places me on top of a bed and I pass out to dreamland.